Combined percussion and rotary drilling apparatus



April 7, 1925. 1,532,311

.1. H. HERMAN COMBINED PERCUSSION AND ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS Original Filed June 13, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Iii/9 @110: um

J. H. HERMAN COMBINED PERCUSSION AND ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS 1 April 7, 1925.

Original Filed June 13, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 attorney,

April 7, 1925. 1,532,311

J. H. HERMAN COMBINED PERCUSSION AND ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS Original Filed June 13, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I. H HERMAN,

April 7, 1925.

J. H. HERMAN COMBINED PERCUSSION AND ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed June 13, 1921 I1 H.HE.RMAN,

April 7, 1925.

J. H. HERMAN COMBINED PERCUSSION AND ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS Original Filed June 13, 1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I gwuwntoz In. HERMAN Patented 'Apr. 7, 1925.

UNITED. STATES JOHN H. HERMAN, 0F HOUSTON, TEXAS.

COMBINED PERCUSSION AND ROTARY DRILLING APPARATUS.

' Application filed June 13, 1921, Serial No. 477,292. Renewed February 9, 1925.

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that 1, JOHN H. HERMAN,

an lmprovement in combined rotary and percussion system drilling rigs for oil field work. i

It frequently happens in drilling wells that it is greatly to the advantage of the driller to be able to use either the rotary or percussion system of drilling, and to be able to change from one system to the other quickly with only slight adjustments of the apparatus. This is because the percussion system is better adapted to drill certain formations than is the rotary. On the other hand, the rotary system has certain obvious advantages over the percussion system where it can be used efliciently in the pars ticular formation being encountered by the drill.

An object of my invention is to provide an apparatus which is adapted for employing either the rotary or percussion system as desired, and to change from one to the' other with a minimum of trouble and in-' convenience.

Another object is to simplify the operation of drilling of deep wells by providing a light, simple and economical rig practically self contained and'adapted to the drilling of different formations and at different depths.

p A still further object is to provide a drilling rig including boththe rotary and percussion systems of drilling and'wherein either system may be operated from the same source of power, and the same draw works, spudding device and operating machinery may be employed'with equal efli and easily connected or disconnected fromthe crank shaft and also to position the same where it will not interfere in its operation with the other mechanism of the rig, and thus enable the driller to properly align the cable reels relative to the well.

I further provide a strong construction for the Samson post which not only firmly supports the walking beam, but acts as a shelter to protect. the driller during the operation of the rig.

\Vith the above and other objects in view the invention has particular relation to certain novel features of construction, operation and arrangement of parts, particularly set forth and described in the specification which follows.

Referring to the drawings forming a part of this specification and wherein like numorals of reference are applied to like parts throughout the several views, Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my assembled apparatus in which certain parts are shown in central horizontal section and other parts broken away for greater clearness. Fig. 2 is -a side elevation of the same. Fig. a similar side elevation taken from the opposite side of the machine. Fig. 1 is a detailed view slightly enlarged showing some of the operating parts of my device. Fig. 5 is a side elevation showing the operation of certain levers. Fig. 6 is a broken detail showing certain parts of my improved brake drum. Fig. 7 is a top plan view of my cable gripping means. Fig. 8 is a side elevation thereof. Fig. 9 is another side elevation of the cable clamp, showing also partly in section my improved load indicator. Fig. 10 is a side elevation of one of my clutch wedges. Fig. 11' is a view showing the two cooperating wedges illustrating their position relative to the shaft. Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the .second wedge, and Fig. 13 is a perspective View showing the two clutch wedges assembled.

In the construction of my improved drilling rig, I have endeavored to make the same light, and compact, and to-mount the plates. As shown in Fig. 3 there are two large sizes of pipe 3 and a total of five stays of smaller diameter 5, so placed as to best'reinforce the frame work. Any number of such cross stays suflicient to makethe v frame'rigid may be used. Toward the front of'the frame I employ a series of channel iron cross stays 4, these bars being secured to the base of the side plates, it being necessary to use such stays here to allow room for movement of the operator in handling the device. By using pipe for stays in the manner described I secure an especially rigid structure which will not readily warp or bend and will thus keep the shafts and their bearings properly aligned.

Approximately centrally of the side plates is mounted a transverse crank shaft 6, at one end of which. is keyed a drive wheel 7 which is driven by means of a noiseless chain belt 8 from the wheel 9 on the power shaft 10 toward the forward end of the machine and to one side thereof. a

At the opposite end of the shaft 6, outside f the frame, is keyed a crank arm 11 the purose of which is,t0' operate the walking eam, detachably connected thereto or a spudding .arm to be later described. Be-

tween the side plates and adj aoent the crank arm is mounted, on shaft 6, a? sand reel- 12.

This reel is idle on the shaft. It comprises a drum 13 upon which the sand line or cable for handling the sand pump or bailer is wound. At one end of the sand reel is a brake drum 14 having a brake band 15 thereon, said band being operated by means of the brake rod 16 in the usual manner said rod being connected for operation to a connectin link 17 secured to a bell crank lever 18, which is in turn actuated by a hand lever 19 at the forward end of the machine.

The brake drum 14 has been closed on both sides toward the outer periphery to form an annular chamber 20 acting as a container for cooling fluid to prevent overheating of the drum itself and the brake lining .21, when the brake is operated.- An opening is formed in one side of the chamber adjacent the innerwall for the purpose of renewing the cooling fluid. This man hole is closed by a cover plate 71 held resiliently in position by a spring 22 as shown in Fig. 6.

The reel is provided with a lubricant chamber 7 3' adjacent the shaft so that the said shaft may run in oil. The lubricant is prevented from escape by packing at each end of the reel bearings.

The sand reel is clutched to the shaft, when desired, by a friction clutch formed at the brake end of the said reel. An inclined annular surface 23 is formed on the interior of the rim adapted to receive a tapered friction clutch member 24. The clutch member is fixed to the shaft and the reel is held resiliently out of contact with-the clutch by means of a spring 25 fitted within the hub of the clutch member and bearing against the central portion of the reel.

The clutch is operated by sliding the reel longitudinally of the shaft against the action of the spring 25. This is done by means of two interfitting blocks. One of these blocks 26 is provided with a central opening to receive the shaft 6 and is slidable longitudinally upon the said shaft. The outer face of the block 26 bears against a washer 27 which fits against the end of the reel 13. See Figs. 10 to 13 of the drawing. On each side of the inner face of the block 26 are inclined tracks 28. As will be noted from the drawing, these tracks are inclined steeply at 29 adjacent each end of the tracks. The cooperating block 30 has two wedged shaped SldG. members, the inner faces of which are inclined to fit against the tracks 28 onthe block 26. The block 30 is extended beyond the body of the block and provided with a reinforcing cross member 31 to prevent the spread of the wedges laterally away from each other. The opposite ends of the wedge member 30 are connected by an operating handle 32 which is in turn secured to a connecting rod 33 by which the block 30 may be moved transversely of the shaft. The rod 33 is connected at its opposite end to a small crank arm 34 on the shaft 35. This shaft 35 is the shaft to which the bell crank lever 18 is fixed. It will be obvious therefore that the movement of the lever 19 will rotate the shaft 35 and thus operate the connecting rod 33 and the clutch wedge block 30 to set or loosen the clutch. The

outer face of the block 30 bears against as rin 36 which is fixed to the shaft by means of a set screw 37 It will therefore be obvious that movement longitudinally of the shaft by the wedge member 30 will be pre vented. Therefore, when the wedge 30 is moved to the right in the figures of the drawing,it will serve to move the block 26, and the reel toward the clutch 23 thereby setting the clutch and. connecting the reel with the shaft. At the point 29 on each of the inclined contacting faces of-the wedge blocks, I may provide an anti-friction roller, these rollers being "set in recesses in the inclined track ways in such manner as to bear against the opposite cooperating face of the other block and facilitate the sliding of one block relative to the other. As the block 30 is moved relative to the block 26, the first sliding of block 26 laterally will be rapid, due to the abrupt incline 29. Movement thereafter will be more gradual, due to the more gradual slope of the remainder of the inclined. surface. Thus greater power may be exerted as the clutch is forced in but the complete act of closing the clutch will be prompt and positive.

Toward the rear of the sand reel 13 is mounted a drill reel 38. This reel is fixed to a shaft 38 jonrnalled in the side platesof the frame. The end of the shaft 38 is extended toward the wheel 7 beyond the frame work and has keyed thereto a sprocket wheel 39. This sprocket wheel is adapted to be operatively connected to a sprocket wheel 40 on the crank shaft 6 by means of a sprocket chain 41. The sprocket wheel 40 is normally idle on the shaft 6 and when desired, is secured rigidly thereto by means of a friction clutch 42 of a construction similar to that of the clutch 23, previously described. The sprocket wheel 40 is held resiliently away from the tapered friction member 43 on the wheel 7 by means of the spring 44. The sprocket wheel 40 has a. tapered face to receive the friction surface 43 and the wheel may be forced laterally against the action of the spring to'set the clutch by the operation of the clutch wedges 45 similar in construction to the clutch operating means previously described. These clutch wedges are positioned on shaft 6 between the wheel 40 and the frame and are operated'by means of a rod 46 connected by means of the bell crank lever 47 to the operating lever 48. The setting of this clutch will serve to rotate the drill reel 38 as desired, in an obvious manner.

At one end of the drill reel 38 is a brake drum 49, this drum being provided with a brake band 50 which is set by means of a lever 51 connected through the bell crank lever 52 and the connecting rod 53 and a second bell crank lever 53 to the operating lever 54. The brake drum 49 is provided with a central cooling chamber 55 to contain a supply of cooling liquid similar in-plan to the chamber 20 in the drum 14 previously described. The brake band may be provided with means to prevent sagging and also of taking up slack due to wear. A yoke 151 may be riveted to the brake band on its lower side, this yoke being provided with laterally projecting pins fitting in plumber blocks 152. on. the frame. A set screw 153 below the bearing thus provided will raise or lower the pin and yoke to adjust the band.

hlounted on the frame immediately to the forward side of the sand reel 13 is the casing reel 56. This reel is mounted idly on a shaft 57 journalled for rotation in the side plates of the frame. At one end of the shaft and inside the frame work is fixed a gear wheel 58. This wheel is adapted to mesh with a cooperating gear wheel 59 mounted upon the crank shaft 6. The gear wheel 59 is clutched to the shaft 6 by means of the positive clutch 149 operated by means of the handle 150. The inner face of the gear wheel 58 is provided with a friction clutch ring 60. The reel 56 is provided with a brake drum 61, similar in construc-,

tion to the brake drums previously described, and on the outer face of this drum is secured an annular tapered friction surface 62 interfitting with the ring 60 on the gear wheel. The casing reel 56 and the friction surface 62 thereon are held resiliently away from the gear wheel 58 by means of a spring 63 wound about the shaft 57 and bearing at one end against the gear wheel 58, and at the other end against the hub 64 .of the casing reel. The reel is slidable on the shaft and is adapted to be forced toward the gear wheel 58 to set the clutch 62 by means of wedges 65, (see' Fig. 3) at the opposite end of the reel. These clutch wedges are identical in construction with the wedge blocks previously described, and are adapted to-be operated by means of the handle or connecting rod 66 and a crank arm 67 which is fixed to the shaft 68 which is adapted to be rotated by means of a rod 69 and a hand lever 70. The brake drum 61 is provided with the same cooling system as was shown in connection with the other reels. It has an opening therein closed by means of the plate 71, said plate being held in position by a spring 22 in the manner previously described There may be provided in watercooling brake drums of this description, a

vent opening 72 adjacent the hub of the drum to allow the escape of steam formed by heat generated in the use of the brake. -The brake is operated by a lever of the usual construction connected by interme-' diate links to the hand lever 148.

Inside the reel 56, I may provide a. chamber 73 adjacent the shaft for the holding of lubricant for the bearings of the reel. The hub 64 of the reel is provided with a duct 74 to feed the lubricant more efficiently to the bearings.

On the side of the frame adjacent the crank arm 11, is provided a spudding arm 7 5. The construction of this spudding arm is shown best in Figures 1 and 3. It is adapted to bepivoted at the rear end of the frame upon a stub shaft 76, the arm 75 being provided with an inwardly extending bracket 77 to support the bearing 78 fitting about the, shaft. The body of the spudding arm is made up of a length of structural iron 79 rounded off at 80, toward the forward end. Spaced upwardly from the lower til member 79 by means of blocks 81 and 82 is a shorter length of channel iron 83. Between these two members 79 and 83 is thus provided a track to slidably receive a guide block 84 which receives the outer end of a crank pin 85.. This crank pin maybe received in any one of a plurality of openings 86 in the crank arm 11. It will be noted therefore that on the rotation of the crank arm the guide block 84: will be reciprocated within the trackprovided for it and will serve to cause the forward end of the spudding arm to rise and fall. A smooth segmental groove 87 is formed in the forward end of the spudding arm through which the cable 88 is adapted to run. It will be noted that the groove is directed upwardly so that the cable may pass from this arm upwardly over sheaves or blocks in the derrick and downwardly to the well.

At the rearward end ofthe frame adiacent the pivotal point of the spuddingarm is a guide segment v 89. This segment is fixed in "a horizontal position in line with the end of the shaft 76. This shaft is slotted to allow the cable to pass there-through, thus furnishing a guide for the cable before it passes around the segment 89. The seg ment has a deep groove in its rounded outer face, and I may position in the trough of this groove, a series of anti-friction rollers 90'upon which the cable-may run. t

By arranging the spudding arm in this position it will be noted that the cable .80' may pass from any of the three reels previously described, rearwardly. to connect with the segment 89 and from there may 7 pass directly along the lower side of the spudding arm to the rounded forward end thereof, and from thence may pass directly upward into the derrick and around] the crown block as may be desired. The arrangement of the segment 89 in the horizontal position described will enable the cable to pass to this spudding arm from any horizontal angle without interfering at all with the effective operation of the spudding arm, it being immaterial at what angle the cable is recelved aroundthe segment. The cable will not tend to run out of the grooves therein with this arrangement, and the passing of the cable throughthe slot in the shaft 76 will hold it steady 'at that point during the rocking of the spudding arm.

The shaft 6 and the crank arm 11 there on are intended for rotation in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 3. The power stroke of the spudding arm will then occur when the crank arm is moving downwardly. As will be noted" from the drawing, this oc- "curs when the crank arm is bearing toward the forward end of the spudding-arm, thus giving the greatest efficiency to the stroke, this being due to the fact that the power is exerted farther from the fulcrum and closer to the load. When the crank arm has rotated through 180 degrees and is risingon. the idle stroke of the arm, it is nearer to the the cable from any of the reels of the device, and from any angle relative to the said reels. This arrangement also applies the power to the spudding arm in the mostefih cient manner and allows the quick return.

which is necessary in this operation.

On the forward side of the machine I have positioned a-rotary table 91 of ordinary construction, said table being adapted for rotation'by means of a shaft 92 which is rotated by means of a sprocket wheel 93 thereon, said sprocket wheel being connected by means of the chain 94 to another sprocket wheel 95 on the power shaft 10. This r0 tary is of the ordinary and usual construction and need not be further described. It is intended for use whenthe rotary system of drilling is desired and is no different than any ordinary type of rotary drilling outfit and is intended to-be shown here somewhat diagrammatically.

It will be'noted that the framework of i the machine isset slightl toone side of the position of the well being drilled which as will be' understood, is centrally of the rotary 91. In providing for the percussion system of drilling, I have formed Samson posts 96 and 97, one at each side of the frame adjacent the forward end thereof.

One of these posts '97 is slightly tothe rear of the forward one 96; These posts are connected toward the upper ends by a cross piece 98 forming a bridge. At the upper ends of the two posts are fixed two bearings 99 to receive a cross shaft 100. The walking beam is fixed to the shaft,

which; in turn rocks in the bearings as before noted; The supporting of the walking beam at an angle to the frame places one over the well and the otherend almost vertically above the crank shaft. The rear end of the walking beam is formed with a backwardly extending stub shaft 102 thereon. A connecting arm 103 is provided with a bearing yoke 104 at its upper; end to receive the shaft 102 thus forming a; pivotal connection therewith.- The lower end of the lUU connecting arm or pitman 103 is formed "for detachable connection to'the crank pin- 85 on the crank arm 11. A view. of the construction of the crank pin 85 shows that the outer end is provided with a peripheral groove 105. The lower end of the connecting arm has a bearing 1 06 thereon and into it the head of the crank pin may be inserted.

, arm at the same time.

The pin is then looked against removal by the dropping of a slidable plate or gate 107 having a semicircular notch or groove 108 in the lower edge thereof. This plate 107 is connected to an upwardly extending rod 109 which is drawn resiliently downward by means of a spring 110 thus acting to throw the plate 107 into locking position. The upper end of the rod has a hook thereon which may be latched over a pin 111 to hold the plate in an elevated position. When the plate is dropped it is adapted to fit within the groove 105 in the crank pin, and will thus hold the crank head against removal from the pin. It will be obvious that the spudding arm and the pitman 103 can not both be connected tothe crank The walking beam will be operated for drilling purposes only when thespudding arm is not in use, said arm being adapted to be quickly detached when its operation is not desired.

An adjusting chain 112 is secured centrally onthe walking beam to the small chain reel 113 which is journalled at 114 between the two plates making up the said walking beam. This reel has a pawl 116 pivoted on its outer end and a rachet 115, on the inner periphery of a gear wheel 117, is positioned so that the pawl will bear against said ratchet and prevent the idle rotation of the reel in one direction. The; worm gear wheel 117 is mounted toward one side of the reel and is adapted to cooperate withthe worm gear 118 on a shaft 119 at a point directly beneath the gear. This worm gear is operated by means of a bevel gear 120 formed on the end of the shaft 119, said bevel gear being placed in position to mesh with a similar gear 121 on the-shaft of a pulley 122 which in turn, may be operated.

by means of a chain 123 which falls to a point toward the forward part of the machine, where the operator usually stands.

Formed in the end of the shaft 114 of the chain reel 113 is a squared socket to receive the squared end of a crank. Thus when the cable has been lowered by means of the chain 112 during the downward progress of the drill as far as is possible, the cable is detached. and the adjusting chain is drawn up for a new grip on the cable. This reeling up of the chain 112 is accomplished by fitting the crank in the socket of the shaft 114 and rotating the reel. It will be seen that the driller may rotate the wheel 113 by means of the chain 123 and gear 118 to unreel the chain and the pawl engaging the ratchet will rotate the reel. But in reeling up the chain by means of the crank, the handle is moved in the opposite direction and rotates the drum, but when the handle is moved in this direction, the ratchet slips on the pawl arid the reel only is operated and the gears 117 and 118 will not be alfected. To grip the cable the chain 112 extends forwardly from the reel 113 and.

passes through a guide ring 124, and through a segmental groove 125.

The forward end of the chain is connected to an indicator 126 and through said indicator to a. clamping block 127 by means of which it is secured to the cable 128. The construction of the indicator is shown best in Fig. 9. It consists of a spiral sprin. supported atits lower end by a centra post 129, said post being secured at its upper end to the chain 112. This post has a laterally extending flange at its lower end to furnish a seat for the spring 126 which encircles the post. At the upper end of the spring is a plate 130 having laterally projecting hooks 131 thereon to receive links 132. These links extend downwardly outside of the spring and are engaged over shoulders 133, project ing laterally from the cable clamp 127: Thus a suspension of the load upon the cable will force' the links 132 downwardly against the action of the spring and, the greater the load, the greater will be the compression of the spring. I contemplate the use of a spring of sufficient strength to support the usual heavy loads which must be handled in deep well drilling. A driller by watching the comparative amount of compession upon the spring will be able to readily observe. the comparative amount of load sustained by the cable. Any variation in the usual conditions beneath the surface will thus be quick- 1y visible to the driller.

The cable clamp 127 is shown most clearly in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 of the drawing. It comprises two levers 134 and 135. These levers are pivoted at one end of a transverse pivot bolt 136. As shown best in Fig. 9 the two levers 134 and 135 are of greatest width at the pivotal end and are slotted at that end to match together and interfit after the manner of a hinge. The other end of the levers is reduced in width to include a latching yoke 137 pivoted to the outer end of the lever 134. The yoke forms a sort of clevis, the pin of which passes through the outer end of the said lever. The yoke is thickened somewhat at the bend of the U-shaped portion and threaded to receive" a set screw 138, said screw having at its outer end a handle 139. This handle comprising a rod of some length in order that heavy pressure may be brought to bear by the set screw against the outer end of the lever 135. To-

will force the two levers toward each other 'so as to firmly grip the cable. By this means a rigid and firm hold is obtained upon the cable so that there is no chance of a slipping of the cable when heavy loads are suspended thereon. The links 132 connecting the indicator with the cable clamp are received below projecting lugs 133 thereon and a screw 141 is passed downwardly through the outer end of the lug and threaded to screw within'a lower lug 142 thereby preventing the accidental slipping of the links from beneath the lugs 133.

At the forward end of the frame of my device I have fixed a safety post 143. This post is immediately below the outer end of the walking beam 101 and inclined in such a direction that when the forward end of -the walking beam is lowered into contact with the upper end of the safety post, it

will rest evenly on the upper end of the post which is provided with a pad 144 to prevent too great a jar upon the framework. The lower end of the safety post is pivotally secured at 145 to one of the side plates of the framework. A pin on the lower end of the post fits in a socket in the plate and allows a swinging movement of the upper end of the'post. The upper end of the safety post is held. in position and reinforced by means of two braces. One of the braces 146 comprises a rod connected slidably to a plate on the upper end of one of the Samson posts. The rod is limited in its forward movement by a nut screwed on the end thereof as shown. The other brace 147 extends diagonally across the frame work and is hinged to the opposite Samson post. Thus when the post is to be moved out of the wayit is thrown upwardly toward the Samson post 96, the rod 146 sliding through the plate. The hinged brace 147 allows this movement of the post and'the pivoting of the post at 145 permits the post to lie against the Samson post out of the way.

It will be noted that the operating parts of my combined drilling rig are arranged as compactly as possible relative to the frame. By doing this I meanto make the operating members of the rig self-contained within the frame-work as far as possible. The forward end of the walking beam projects only slightly in front of the frame work of the machine. This brings the load to be handled by the different parts of my device as far as possible within the base of the machine. I am therefore enabled to handle .very heavy loads with, practically no danger of tippingtheaframework forwardly toward the load. .It is only necessary to anchor the frame to the foundation by ordinary available means, the heavy timbers and weights now in common use in anchoring heavy rigs being unnecessary.

It will also be noted that operating levers frame of the machine so as to bring the said levers into most convenient position for op- The four operi eration from the drillers position. The op- -erating'lever 19 is also closely at hand.

Further, when it is desired to feed the cable to the drill, by means of the connecting chain 112. the chain 123 may be used to rotate the shaft 121 and the worm gear 118 to cause the rotation of the reel 113 and thus unreel the adjusting chain 112. The bridge 98 connecting the two Samson posts forms a shelter for the driller. It is not uncommon for objects of some size to drop downwardly from a derrick onto the platform. Tools being handled by the workmen in the derrick, parts of the crown block, the cable, joints of pipe and other objects are liable to be dropped at any time, I

the rearward end thereof in alignment with the crank shaft for operation. Thus the walking beam is out of the way in the operation of the other working parts of the. rig and still is in convenient position to perform its pro-per function.

Further it is possible to arrange the cable reels 13,37, and 56 in alignment with the hole being drilled, in the manner shown in Fig. 1. Thus, ,oable passing from any of these drums up over the crown block of a derrick of ordinary construction, will be in direct line with the sheaves of the crown block and with the well, so that there will be no flopping of the cable and no difiiculty in reeling up or unreeling the line. This is an arrangement of great" advantage and will avoid the'necessity of placing the reels at an angle tothe frame as is usually the case in heavy rigs of this nature.

The spudding arm, duringthe operation of the walking beam, is disconnected from 'the crank shaft and the pivoting-shaft 76 and removed from the machine, for when the drilling operation is roceeding, through the use of the walking cam, the spudding device cannot be used. When, however, it is desired to use the spudding arm for lighter operation, the walking beam is disconnected from the crank shaft and is swung as nearly in a vertical position as possible on its pivot so as to be out of the way during the operation of the spudding arm. The length of stroke of either the spudding arm or the walking beam can be varied by properly positioning the crankpin 85 within the proper opening 86 in the crank arm to obtain the stroke desired. lVhen the spudding arm is being used it will be possible, as before noted, to use the cable from any one of the three reels. Thus, when it is desired to work the casing downwardly into the well by reciprocating the casing, the line from the casing reel 56 is run back around the segment. 89 and over the spudding arm up into the derrick. If, on the other hand, it is desired to work the sand pump by means of the spudding arm, the line from the sand reel may be operated in a similar manner. It will therefore be apparent that the mounting of the reels, the spudding arm, the walking beam, the operating levers, and the protecting bridge 98 in the position relative to the frame, as shown in the drawing and previously described, furnish a complete rig, which is most efiiciently adapted to perform the different functions necessary for successful. and complete drilling. In my device, I am, therefore, able, due to the compact form and shape of the parts, to drill deep wells and to handle in connection with such drilling, very heavy loads.

The arrangement of the reels in the relative positions shown has also been worked out witha View to greatest eflieiency and convenience. The drill reel, which is used most frequently, is placed at the rear end where it is most easily accessible for reaching the cable, or regulating the reel, unwinding the line from the surplus spool 150 or other operations. The sand reel 13 is mounted on the crank shaft 6. It is thus possible to use a large diameter drum for the reel, thus attaining increased speed of operation without danger of overheating the bearings. The mounting of the sand reel idly on the shaft enables the shaft 6 to rest in. its bearings whenthe load is going down in the hole. the unreeling of the line being regulated by the brake. When the load is coming out of the hole the bearings of the drum are cooling while the bearings of shaft 6 are used. This arrangement is thus of further advantage.

The casing reel 56, which handles the heaviest loads, is furtherest forward and directly beneath the crown block. Cable from this drum will therefore run directly upwardly over the sheaves of the crown block and back to the well. A smooth run of the casing line under heavy strain is thus assured. No other arrangement of the reels on the frame would accomplish these important advantages. This arrangement is therefore a most important feature of my invention.

The making of the parts detachable in the manner described enables me, with very slight change, and in a very short time to shift from one operation to another. The walking beam may be swung out of the way on very short notice by simply disconnecting the pitman from the crank shaft and swinging the beam upwardly. The rotary may then be used to drill a portion of the well, and, when desired, in connection with either the rotary or percussion system of drilling. I may operate the lines from any of the three reels.

It will thus be noted that I have provided a light and compact drilling rig which combines all of the advantageous features of the percussio-n and rotary systems of drilling together with means of operating the casing. the sand pump or the drill as desired at any time during the drilling of the well with very little change.

My compact arrangement of operating parts enables me to use short and rigid Samson posts .for the support of the walking beam. The posts as designed are very substantiallv shorter than the ordinary Samson post. The walking beam is also materially shorter than is usual. This results in a great saving of material and is conducive to greater strength while obtaining increased eificiency. The guide for the adjusting chain at the forward end of the walking beam is a marked improvement over the temper screw ordinarily used. The throw of the cable in operation is much less and the length of my adjustment far exceeds that obtained by use of a temper screw.

Having thus described my device. the advantages and objects of which will be clear to one skilled in the art without further description, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A rig for well drilling comprising a frame, a drill reel and acasing rccl mounted thereon in horizontal alignment. a crank shaft on said frame. a sand rccl mounted idly on said shaft, means to clutch said sand reel to said crank shaft, a Qamson post at. each side of said frame. a bridge Connecting the upper ends of said posts. a walking beam on said posts, means to rock said beam comprising a connection between the rear end thereof and the said crank shaft. and means to rotate said shaft and said reels.

2. A rig for well drilling comprising in combination, a frame, a crank shaft journalled thereon, means to rotate said shaft, a crank arm on said shaft, Samson posts on each side of said frame, a bridge connecting said posts, a walking beam pivoted adjacent one of said posts and set at an angle 1; said frame, and a connecting rod detachabl connecting said walking beam and said crank reel, a sand reel, and a casing reel mounted for rotation on said frame,- and positioned adjadent'one side of said frame, a walking beam pivoted torock at that side of the frame adjacent the reels, said beam bemg mounted at such an angle relative to the frame as to bring the forward end ef the beam in alignment with said reels, a crank shaft in said frame and means connected to said shaft to rotate said reels and to rock said walking beam. n

5. A rig for well drilling comprising a frame, a plurality of reeling drums mounted thereon, a crank shaft, separate means connected with said'crank shaft to operate each of said reels, a Samson post on each side of said frame, one post being slightly in advanceof the other, a shaft connecting said posts, a walking beam pivoted on said shaft adjacent one of the said posts, and means connected with said crank shaft, adapted to' rock said beam, the said reels and the forward end of said beam being in alignment.

6.' In a well drilling rig, a horizontally arranged frame, two Samson posts toward the forward end of said frame, a shaft on said posts, a walking beam pivoted on said shaft, :means to rock said beam,a downwardly directed guide. groove in the for ward end of said beam, a chain reel, centrally of said beam, and a chain connected to said reel and passing through said groove, said chain having a cable clamp thereon.

7. In a well drilling rig, a frame, a cable reel on said frame, two Samson posts on said frame, a shaft on said posts, a walking beam on, said shaft, means to rock said beam, a'chain reel mounted adjacent the pivotal point thereon, means to rotate said chain reel, a chain on said reel walking on said beam and adapted to pass over-the forward end in the forward end of said beam, anhain v e on said reel and passing over said groove, a

cable grip on said chain, means'to rocksaid beam, and means to rotate said reel.

9. In a well drilling rig, a frame, two

Samson posts, a bridge connecting said posts, 'a shaft on said posts, a walking beam adapted to rock on said shaft, at one side of:

said frame, said beam being set at such an anglefo the frame as to bring the forward end directly over the well being drilled and means to rock said beam.

10. In a rig for well drilling, a Samson post, a walking beam pivoted thereon, a chain on said beam,a cable clamp, a load indicator connecting said chain and clamp comprising a post secured to said chain, a

supporting flange thereon, a spring on said flange, a plate on the upper end of said spring and links connecting said plate and said clamp. i i

11. In a rig for well drilling, a frame, a

walking beam supported above said frame,

means to rock said beam, a safety post pivotally connected below said walking beam on said frame whereby said post may be thrown up against said frame out of the way when desired.

12. In a rig for well drilling, a Samson post, a walking beam pivoted to rock thereon, a chain reel on said walking beam, an ad usting chain on said reel, a worm gear to unreel said chain, means to rotate said gear and means to reel up saidchainewithout theoperation of said gear.

13. In a rig for well drill'ng, a walking.

beam, a chain reel on said beam, an adjusting chain on said reel, a worm gear on said reel, means to operate said gear to unwind said chain from said reel, and means to reel up said chain on said reel while said gear is at rest. I

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature this the 10th day of June, A. D. 1921. I

JOHN H. HERMAN 

